Inadequate funding undermines infrastructure, says Rector

The Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) Rector, Ibraheem Adedotun Abdul, has said that inadequate funding is a primary issue hampering effective maintenance of infrastructure within government’s institutions, particularly in educational establishments.

Abdul, who stated this during the college’s 16th inaugural lecture, with the theme: “Facilities Maintenance Management of Public Infrastructures: A Cinderella Without a Suitor-Amidst Culture of Waste,” said that underfunding not only compromises facility upkeep but also threatens the sustainability of the college’s long-term infrastructure.

According to him, maintenance budgets for public institutions like YABATECH, often fall short of the recommended 10 per cent of capital costs, a benchmark necessary to sustain effective facility management. He, however, underscored the urgency of consistent and timely fund releases to prevent delays that could lead to cost escalations and further strain on existing resources.

He said: “The relevance of government institutions meeting the budgetary provision of 10 per cent of capital cost yearly for facility maintenance, along with the prompt release of funds, is necessary to avoid delays that could spiral into cost overruns.”

The Rector noted that YABATECH, despite its over 70 years of existence, still lacks a comprehensive maintenance policy for its multibillion-naira facilities, adding: “It’s ironic that while a handset worth N20,000 comes with a maintenance and repair manual, our major buildings are left without such essential documentation.

“The result of this neglect culminates in the total collapse of our infrastructure, equipment, and building components, thereby denying the citizenry the benefits of their functionality.”

In his lecture, a Chief Lecturer in the Department of Building Technology, YABATECH, Dr Emmanuel Olufemi Akinsola, noted that maintenance operations are significantly and positively correlated to facilitate performance, such as improvement of quality of living, enhancement of productivity and having good impact on national economy.

He lamented that maintenance operation of public infrastructure is ineffective in the country of which there is culture of waste arising from delayed maintenance operation.

Akinsola, therefore, recommended implementation of enhanced cleaning and security protocols, training of maintenance members of staff on routine repairs and upkeep, implementation of waste management and recycling programmes, as well as exploring public-private partnership for financing and operations.